Detailed Narrative
Q2 FY26 Performance Overview
Stove Kraft reported a robust Q2 FY26, with consolidated revenue growing 13.4% year-on-year to ₹474.4 crores. Gross profit increased by 14.4% to ₹182.8 crores, leading to a stable gross margin of 38.5%, up 33 basis points. EBITDA grew 15.8% to ₹56.8 crores, with the EBITDA margin expanding by 25 basis points to 12%. PAT margin improved by 51 basis points to 4.5%, and ROE sequentially rose to 10.1%.
Impact of GST Rate Rationalization
The company noted a temporary sluggishness in demand during Q2, particularly between the GST announcement and implementation. This resulted in an estimated revenue shortfall of ₹15-20 crores for the quarter. However, management expects the GST reduction from 12% to 5% on approximately 35% of its portfolio, including pressure cookers and cookware, to drive long-term demand improvement and make products more affordable for consumers.
Retail Expansion and Store Performance
Stove Kraft successfully added 300 standalone Pigeon exclusive outlets in October 2025, bringing the total to 301 stores across 120 cities and 21 states. The company aims to expand to 500 stores by 2027, focusing on North and West India. The average monthly revenue per store is ₹3.81 lakhs, exceeding the break-even point of ₹2.5 lakhs. The company is confident of reaching ₹60 lakhs per store per annum within 6-12 quarters.
Exports Business and Tariff Challenges
The export business grew 19% in H1 FY26, with H1 revenue around ₹120 crores, and over 75% coming from the US. While the company's sales are FOB, tariff instability has paused new product development for exports. Management maintains a guidance of 50% export growth for the current and next year if tariffs stabilize, with meaningful revenue from the IKEA partnership expected from FY27, reaching full scope by FY28.
Margin Outlook and Cost Management
Stove Kraft expects gross margins to improve in Q3 and Q4, targeting 39% for H2 FY26 and aiming for 40% in the near term. The company is confident of improving its EBITDA margin by 1% over last year for FY26. As a 'cost-plus' company, it generally passes on raw material price increases, such as aluminum, to consumers, ensuring margin stability.
Capital Allocation and Debt Reduction
The company's gross debt stands at ₹180 crores. Management is highly confident of becoming debt-free within the next four quarters, with financing costs expected to be zero in the next four months. CAPEX for retail stores is approximately ₹18-20 lakhs per store, largely funded by franchisee deposits, minimizing cash outflow for expansion.
Strategic Focus and Market Leadership
Stove Kraft is focused on improving its ROCE and ROE to closer to 20%. The company believes it is already a leader in the pressure cooker business and sees significant opportunity in premiumization within this category. Its strategy relies on strong manufacturing capabilities, extensive distribution networks, and maintaining an affordable value brand position to gain market share against new entrants.